Abstract
This paper discusses "The Kingdom of Matthias", focusing on the main themes and ideas and whether it achieved its purpose of identifying what factors made the characters change their views about life itself and the world around them. The author illustrates how the book paints a realistic picture of the environment and ambiance of that period of history and of the mood and tone of perfectionism that people embodied.

From the Paper
"There are several significant ideas brought up by the author's which come together to form the main theme of the story: why did the character's involved fall dupe to an insane and unconventional "storyteller" and even more so why did Robert Matthews either portray or believe that he was the Prophet Matthias, the "Spirit of Truth" (94). First of all we will look at the true main argument of the book, which is how and why Robert Matthews became the self-proclaimed prophet Matthias. He seemed to fail at everything that he did whether it was with his trade as a carpenter, being shunned by his friends and co-workers on account of relaying his religious beliefs to them, or "his home life [being] degenerated into a nightmare of wife-beating and child abuse." (49)."

Tags:religion, awakening, america, johnson, wilentz, robert, matthews

Abstract
The paper discusses the following characteristics and features of each population-- their reason for gathering together, the "rules" that seem to govern their interaction; common behavior; their response to "outsiders;" their reactions to new group members; their communicatory processes; their handling of extreme emotions or outbursts; their appearance and dress; their handling of money and/or possessions; and the types of personalities noted in each group.

From the Paper
"In terms of handling money or possessions, one child was given some money by a parent in order to get a coke from a nearby vendor (he appeared to be the oldest child in the group). This soon resulted in about a third of the children asking their mothers to either give them money to purchase a coke or buy them a coke. Those children whose parents refused were upset, although the expression of this "upsetness" varied from child to child with a couple of children acting like they were about to die of thirst (and then the parent would be sorry) while others just put on a sad or miffed face and let it go at that, their attention almost immediately being caught by something else."

Tags:possessions, rules, behavior, response, emotions

Abstract
This paper briefly discusses the nature-versus-nurture debate as it pertains to serial killers. Using examples of several of the most notorious serial killers, this paper examines whether they may have had common backgrounds and upbringing (nurture) that led them to kill, or whether it was something inbred (nature).

From the Paper
"In looking at past serial killers, one must ask themselves what possessed them to do what they did? What made this man go over the edge and on a violent killing spree? For years people have tried to discern what the motivation behind this was. Some of the more mentally insane killers are a bit harder to piece the puzzle together for the mere fact that even if they divulge information about their life, it is entirely possible/probable that they are lying. People like Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy, and Richard Ramirez are the subjects of debate in psychology, criminology, as well as certain history classes. These criminals have shared many of the same experiences as children but it appears that common fears along with external forces have driven them to their very morbid paths."

Tags:nature, nuture

Abstract
This paper explains that Gacy began his murders of young men in 1972; in December, 1978, police found 33 victims. In March 1980, Gacy was found guilty of all of the murders, and on May 10, 1994, Gacy was executed by lethal injection. The author points out that, throughout Gacy's life, he had been evaluated by psychiatrists and doctors who came up with the same conclusion: Gacy had antisocial personality disorder, was obsessive compulsive, had abused both alcohol and drugs, and had a sexual identity crisis possibly stemming from his abusive childhood, and possibly from a childhood injury to his brain. The paper states concern about the "very sloppy" police work related to this case, which began with a charge against Gacy of attempted rape of a young man in 1971.

From the Paper
"Gacy would eventually marry and settle down in Waterloo, Iowa in 1966. Two years later in May of 1968, he was being held on charges of coercing a young employee into homosexual acts, which spanned a period of months. He was sentenced to ten years in prison, however he proved himself a model prisoner and was released after only 18 months. While in prison his wife divorced him. After being paroled he moved back to Chicago. He eventually would remarry in May of 1971 and moved into a house. He quickly started up his own construction business. It appeared as though Gacy only hired young boys to work for him. He started bringing boys to his home, and would sometimes spend hours with them in the garage. Gacy told his second wife in 1972 that he was bisexual; however she was convinced that he was homosexual, and subsequently divorced him."

Tags:homosexual, sadistic, father, abuse, police, antisocial

Abstract
This paper presents a biopsychosocial assessment of a 24 year old, African-American male, living on a United States Naval Base who was referred to the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet Medical Center for psychiatric evaluation, after pleading guilty to assault on a superior, non commissioned officer. It is an assessment of Antwone Fisher, the main character in the 2002 American drama, "Antwone Fisher," directed by Denzel Washington.

Table of Contents:
Identifying Information
Reason for Referral/Presenting Problem
Client's Description and Functioning
Physical and Economic Environment/Occupational Situation
Current Social Functioning
Family Situation
Sexual/Emotional Relationship
Personal and Family History Relevant to Current Focus
Assessment
Psychological/Social and Emotional Functioning
Worker's Understanding of Client's Presenting Situation

From the Paper
"Using cognitive therapy, supported by the theories of object relations and attachment, Dr. Davenport has assisted client in recognizing maladaptive behaviors and modeling appropriate social interaction. Information processing looks at the development of the mind in terms of how one processes information (Schore, 2003). Schore (2003) defines feelings as how one appraises a situation and decides what action to take. The working model explains how experiences are processed and stored in memory, stating that early experiences are carried forward in life. When information is excluded, it is harder to update that information when new information is presented. This creates contradictory working models in the individual. Cognitive disconnection occurs when a person disconnects or redirects what they think or feel. Previous reports by Dr. Davenport describe client, "He's honest, even in his anger." Dr. Davenport assess client as, "upset with his family because they didn't come to his rescue." Client is able to acknowledge that he brought his problems with him to the Navy, and that the fights he has gotten in to, have nothing to do with the Navy. The client shows accommodation, adjusting his existing schema when new information is presented, through the knowledge gained from reading various books given to the client by Dr. Davenport. The client's progress in overcoming his anxiety associated with building relationships is evident in the growth of his relationship with his girlfriend, his ability to form a secure attachment to Dr. Davenport. "

Tags:ethology, cognitive, behavior, aggressive

Abstract
The paper outlines borderline personality disorder and its definition and provides an overview of the case study subject. The paper explores how the various dimensions of borderline personality disorder manifest themselves in the subject. The paper looks at how the subject's behavior coincided with the DSM-IV and then suggests the most appropriate and sustainable method of treatment for him.

Outline:
Introduction
Overview and Definition
Client Overview
Diagnostic Criteria
A Collaborative and Comprehensive Action Plan to Assist the Client
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Mr A is a forty year old man who is also a single father of one child. He is intelligent and has two degrees, one of which is a Master's degree in literature. He holds a professional job but has had to accept transfers to other areas because of consistently poor working relationships with others. The counsellor who interviewed this patient over a number of sessions immediately noticed extreme mood changes and intense depression, as well as sensitivity about self-image. These are central aspects that relate strongly to the diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder.
"However, the most intense and convincing aspect of the interviews with Mr. A were the discussions that focused on his early childhood and developmental years. Mr. A revealed that his father had deserted the family when he was seven years of age. The father however remained married to the client's mother for a long period of time, which added to the young boy's sense of confusion and increased his emotional instability in the early developmental years. This was later to manifest itself in the lack of positive self-image and in the negative way that Mr. A related to others.
"The poor home situation for Mr. A was further exacerbated by the mother's second marriage when he was ten years of age to a man who was cruel and abusive to the boy. Mr. A also described an event during this period when he called on his real father to fetch him after he had been physically abused by his stepfather. Mr. A's real father promised to visit the child but broke his promise and did not arrive. This affected Mr. A deeply."

Tags:abandonment, relationships, stability, identity, anger, medication, therapy

Abstract
Taking Freud's statement that "all life leads to death" as its starting point, this paper looks at the case studies of "Dora", "Katherina" and "The Wolf Man", examining the extent to which these can be compared to a fictional narrative, such as Poe's "The Muders in the Rue Morgue." The paper goes on to discuss how psychoanaltic theory can be applied to literature, with both the analyst and the author engaging in an attempt to "narrate" lives, bringing them to a satisfactory end point or conclusion.

From the Paper
"Before the scene itself has been discovered, Freud describes the "unconscious memory traces" as being in a state of "chaos". He can only bring order from this apparent chaos once he has brought the element of narratability to the case history, and therefore to the analysand's life. Once this has been done, the Wolf Man's history has been brought to its symbolic death. In the same way that a great deal of fictional texts end with a literal death, or a marriage, the Wolf Man, like Dora, reaches the "death" of his own narrative by being "cured", and is then free to marry - which, Freud tells us, he does. "

Tags:dreams, memories, neuroses, repression, unconscious

Abstract
This paper provides a case study of Charlie, an eleven year old boy living in a household that is currently having difficulties dealing with the arrival of Charlie's younger brother Ben and how, in order to cope with this, uses self-harm and aggression towards others. It discusses how he shows signs of attachment and anxiety issues which are on-going problems at home and how he is likely to be experiencing problems relating to peers. Through different assessment theories, it shows how Charlie's behaviour is directly correlated to parental marital discord and increased anxiety state.

From the Paper
"The role of attachment in childhood emotional development is imperative, as the bond of attachment in infants and their mother or primary care giver, is often said to lay the foundations for all later relationships. Infants want to be near their mothers, and when distressed, they are comforted by their mothers face, voice and touch.
It used to be widely believed that the love for the mother was a direct consequence of the fact that she provided the means to satisfy basic needs, she provided food, warmth, physical protection and relief from pain. The most influential version of this approach was probably that of Sigmund Freud, who believed that infants felt fear at their mother's absence as they believed they would go unfed."

Tags:attachment, relationships, parents, anxiety

Abstract
The paper describes the case study subject's behaviour that conforms to the anxiety and fearful complaints found in the Cluster C personality disorder in the DSM. The paper focuses on her dependent personality disorder as well as her avoidant personality disorder, and provides the psychodynamic and cognitive perspectives on these disorders. The paper offers a comparison of cognitive behavioural therapy and psychodynamic therapy and reaches the conclusion that some form of brief psychodynamic therapy would be the best option for her treatment.

Outline:
Psychodynamic Perspective on Dependent Personality Disorder
Cognitive Perspective on Dependent Personality Disorder
Psychodynamic perspective on Avoidant Personality Disorder (AVPD)
Cognitive Perspective on Avoidant Personality Disorder (AVPD)
Comparison of Cognitive Behavioural therapy and Psychodynamic Therapy
Conclusion

From the Paper
"This case study involves Sally, a 41-year-old mother of two school age children. She appears to be attempting some counselling which we must assume she has done through her own volition possibly due to the need to corral her often explosive emotional states and behavioural swings. It also appears that she has begun an adult relationship at the age of 14 as she confesses to have had conflict within that relationship at that time. Such early attachments to another individual may certainly indicate an attachment disorder of some kind. Many research studies have indicated that early attachment relationships provide an important foundation for later development and that a secure attachment may serve as a protective factor against the negative impact of various adversities and risk factors (Egeland & Erickson, 1999). Here there may be more insecure attachment involved as the case unfolds. Furthermore, there is certainly some lack of parenting as evident by her being allowed to form such an intense relationship as a 'partner' at 14. Furthermore, six years later, due to possibly increasing conflict, her partner threatened to leave her and Sally then threatened suicide. She also admits that she had often done so in the past in order to manipulate the situation, an unequivocal indication of a dependent personality disorder."

Tags:dependent, personality, avoidant, personality, cognitive, behaviour, therapy, psychodynamic, therapy

Abstract
This paper examines the urgent need for changes in the classification of personality disorders. The paper discusses the current classification model for personality set forth by DSM 4. It looks at the problems associated with this system of classification, including high level of co-morbidity and lack of theoretical or empirical rationale for selection of categories. The paper looks at proposed alternative classification systems, such as dimensional systems where extreme scores are representative of psychopathology.

From the Paper
"Personality disorders are longstanding patterns of extreme, inflexible personality traits that are deviant or maladaptive and lead to impaired functioning or subjective distress. (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 1994). The essential feature of a personality disorder is an enduring pattern of inner experience and behaviour that deviates markedly from the expectations of the individual's culture."

Tags:apa, dimensional, psychiatry, research